au·da·cious (adj): showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks

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I’m not sure how often this happens to others, if at all, but I definitely fall victim to the funk. A funk that not only happens with life in general, but more specifically, also with getting my butt out of bed to workout.

It’s the kind of funk that’s brought on by a lack of immediate races or goals. I completed my half marathon back in November, and ever since, it’s been way too easy to talk myself out of a workout. Rationalizations include: it doesn’t really matter, I deserve a break, I need to get stuff done, I’m want to eat NOW, etc. It also doesn’t help that it’s FREEZING outside and daylight is hard to come by. Thanks Seasonal Affective Disorder – way to be a double whammy. Come to think about it, my body was used to being outside a LOT in the Spring through Fall. There was no chance of a vitamin D deficiency. Now, I’m cooped up inside all day and hardly see the light of day.

I see other athletes’ statuses on social media and envy their go-getter-always-get-my-workout-in-plus-some attitude. How do they stay motivated in the winter? Do their bodies not reject this weather and lack of daylight? Are they way more into this hobby than I will ever be (and I feel like I’m into it)?

Happy, Motivated Times!

Seriously though, today is yet another day of a skipped workout. I’m laying in bed typing this. What’s even more concerning is that I don’t care that I haven’t been diligent about working out. Is this a natural off season malady or is it just me? It’s perplexing because I want to kick ass in 2015. I want to continue to improve and get more competitive. At the same time, it just doesn’t feel real right now. It’s so far away – heck, another year away.

This issue makes me think about a book I read, Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. It’s a book about behavioral economics and why are brains toy with us in strange ways (a recommended read BTW). Chapter 7 is called “the problem of procrastination and self-control – why we can’t make ourselves do what we want to do.” Immediate gratification almost always wins against our plans for dieting, saving money, exercising, etc.

I bet I could apply some of the principles in this book to overcoming my bad behavior; however, perhaps it’s OK to have a few weeks of slacking off. Perhaps in January I will feel super refreshed and will want to come back and kick each workout’s ass. One can only hope!

I’m curious to learn more about how others cope with this issue. How do your fight your workout funk? If you know of any blogs or articles that speak to this issue specifically, please let me know. I’d love to read them!